Astros: Top 5 Managers in Franchise History

As the lockout continues, I have another all-time list for Houston Astros fans. This time, it’s managers.

5. Bill Virdon

Coming in at No. 5 is Bill Virdon, who led the club from 1975 to 1982. He finished with a 544-522 record, amassing two playoff appearances, making the National League Championship Series in 1980 with the return of Joe Morgan. Virdon is important, as he led the Astros to their first postseason ever, which should always be remembered and appreciated.

3. Dusty Baker

I know some of you are looking at this pick confused, but let me explain. Dusty Baker took over a club that was absolutely stacked, having made the World Series in two of the previous three years.

The argument can be made that he was gifted a great team, and did not have to work very much in the years after. I think that is an invalid argument, as Baker inherited a club loaded with controversy, and one that was hated by everyone outside of Houston.

However, Baker was up for the job and would do anything to defend his guys. This is why the clubhouse loved him, and will continue to throughout his tenure here. The prime example of this is how he handled Joe Kelly’s antics in 2020.

I will not go over what happened, but you can look it up on YouTube if you have not yet seen it. Besides this controversy, Baker also had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, a shortened season and no Spring Training in 2020.

Despite all of these troubles, he has led the ball club to two playoff appearances, and an AL Pennant in 2021. He has an overall record of 124-98, and finished 3rd in AL Manager of the Year voting in 2021.

Plus, he is not done yet. With rumors swirling that bench coach Joe Espada could take over in 2023, it will be very interesting to see how Baker does in 2022. I will say though, he needs to work on when the right time to replace pitchers is.

2. Phil Garner

Phil Garner was the Astros’ skipper from 2004 to 2007, making the playoffs twice and winning the NL Pennant in 2005. He had two of the best teams in Franchise history in ’04 and ’05, both of which helped him to a 277-252 record overall.

The reason Garner is so high on this list, besides winning a Pennant, is because of the turnaround he was able to make in 2005. His club started the year with a 15-30 record, and Garner was able to get the ship together and wound up winning the pennant.

That is an effort that will not soon be forgotten. Not to mention the fact that he has a fantastic mustache, and always has. Also, he called Mike Fiers a rat which I’m sure all of Houston can get behind.

1. A.J. Hinch

Controversy aside, A.J. Hinch is the best manager in franchise history. I think this can be reemphasized with the fact that he turned the lowly Detroit Tigers around in just one season this past year.

Hinch led the Astros for five years, managing a 481-329 record, four playoff appearances, two AL Pennants, one World Series Championship, and an All-Star managerial appearance.

If you look purely at the players he developed into Stars, you know this is someone who knows his stuff. He took Carlos Correa from a promising rookie to one of the best shortstops in baseball, George Springer from an above average centerfielder to a World Series MVP, and Alex Bregman from a minor leaguer to an All-Star.

There is not much I need to say about AJ, and I hope he is honored in Houston like he should be after his career is over.